By: Vandana Marath
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the March 2026 Visa Bulletin, which outlines the availability of immigrant visas for family-sponsored and employment-based categories according to applicants’ priority date.
DOS has also commented that immigrant visa issuance at U.S. consulates has slowed for nationals of certain countries due to recent restrictive measures, including a travel ban covering nearly 40 countries and a separate visa-processing pause affecting 75 countries (with some overlap). As a result, many March Visa Bulletin cutoff dates moved forward, but the Department warns some dates could later move backward if demand rises or if the restrictions are lifted before the fiscal year ends on September 30, 2026.
Changes in March 2026 Visa Bulletin
According to the March 2026 Visa Bulletin:
The employment-based “Final Action” chart will advance in the following categories:
- EB-1: China and India will advance by one month to March 1, 2023.
- EB-2: India will advance by two months to September 15, 2013. There will be no change for China. All other countries will advance by six and a half months to October 15, 2024.
- EB-3: Philippines will advance by two months to August 1, 2023. There will be no change for China and India. All other countries will advance by four months to October 1, 2023.
The employment-based “Dates for Filing” chart will advance in the following categories:
- EB-1: China and India will advance by four months to December 1, 2023.
- EB-2: India will advance by 11 months to November 1, 2014.
- EB-3: Philippines will advance three months to January 1, 2024. All other countries will advance by three and half months to January 15, 2024.
- EB-5: China will advance by five weeks to October 1, 2016.
The Visa Bulletin has two different charts per visa preference category
Final Action Dates (Chart A)
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- This determines when a visa number is available for issuance based on an applicant’s priority date. If a category shows a specific date (e.g., "01JAN25"), only applicants with a priority date before that date are eligible; if it shows "C" (Current): Visas are available to all applicants regardless of priority date; and if it shows "U" (Unavailable): Visas are unavailable for issuance.
Dates for Filing (Chart B)
- For consular processing (outside the U.S.): The Dates for Filing chart lists the earliest priority dates when the National Visa Center (NVC) will notify applicants to assemble and submit civil documents and fees.
- For Adjustment of Status (filing Form I-485 in the U.S.): Each month, USCIS decides which chart an applicant may use to file the I-485, Adjustment of Status (AOS) application. If USCIS determines that there are enough immigrant visas available to accommodate additional filings, it then lists the Dates for Filing chart to be used for AOS filings that month. Otherwise, the applicant must wait until their priority date becomes current under Final Action Dates to file the I-485, AOS application.
Final Action Date Chart (Chart A) Update Highlights:
- EB-1:
- China: March 1, 2023
- India: March 1, 2023
- All other countries not listed above: Current.
- EB-2:
- China: September 1, 2021
- India: September 15, 2013
- All other countries not listed above: October 15, 2024
- EB-3 (Professionals/Skilled):
- China: May 1, 2021
- India: November 15, 2013
- Philippines: August 1, 2023
- All other countries not listed above: October 1, 2023
- EB-3 Other Workers:
- China: December 8, 2018
- India: November 15, 2013
- All other countries not listed above: November 1, 2021
- EB-4:
- All countries: July 15, 2021
- EB-5 (Unreserved):
- China: August 15, 2016
- India: May 1, 2022
- All other countries not listed above: Current.
- Set-Aside (Rural/High Unemployment/Infrastructure): Current
Dates for Filing (Chart B) Update Highlights:
- EB-1:
- China: December 1, 2023
- India: December 1, 2023
- All countries not listed above: Current
- EB-2:
- China: January 1, 2022
- India: November 1, 2014
- All countries not listed above: Current
- EB-3:
- China: January 1, 2022
- India: August 15, 2014
- Philippines: January 1, 2024
- All countries not listed above: January 15, 2024
- Other Workers:
- China: October 1, 2019
- India: August 15, 2014
- All countries not listed above: June 22, 2022
- EB-4:
- All countries: January 1, 2023
- EB-5 Unreserved:
- China: October 1, 2016
- India: May 1, 2024
- All countries not listed above: Current
- Set-Asides Current
USCIS has announced that it will accept the Dates for Filing chart for March 2026 Employment-based Adjustment of Status filings.
If your priority date is earlier than the date listed in Chart B, for your EB category, please contact your trusted Chugh, LLP immigration professional.
